At a time when our public lands are under greater threat of privatization than ever, I was heartened to see the state legislature pass SJR26-015, for the second year in a row, a bipartisan resolution in support of public lands.
Introduced on March 10 and passed by both the Senate and House, SJR26-015 was co-sponsored by Rep. Stewart – a recognition of the extraordinary federal lands in her district, including those throughout Montezuma County.
Privatization of public lands does not only occur when they are explicitly sold. It also happens when the public is cut out of decisions and corporations are given easy access to shared resources for private gain. When local residents are excluded from planning and permitting processes, there is greater risk of lost public access, environmental contamination, and habitat and species loss. Proposed mining projects in the La Plata Mountains, for example, could have very real impacts on municipal and agricultural water for thousands of people.
Maintaining systems of public input, strong local economies, and effective disaster response all require well-funded and resilient public lands. As we head into a frighteningly warm and dry spring, it is critical that our public lands are properly staffed and that agencies have the resources they need. Colorado is right to formally recognize these immense benefits – now it is time for the federal government to stop cutting the public out of public lands and invest in managing them well.
Rica Fulton
Dolores
